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Original poster

Pulsatile tinnitus

22 replies

biscuitlovers · 02/02/2025 22:44

Wondering if anyone has experienced this - I've had it for a few months now in one ear. Blood pressure and BMI both fine. I did go to doctors who looked in my ear said all good and that was that - no further follow up. Has anyone had it and not identified a cause? It's worrying me and until recently had never heard of it. Of course I've googled which was a mistake so would like to hear of anyone else's experience.

OP posts:

OzCalling · 02/02/2025 22:51

Following with interest - I’ve had it on and off for a year. Haven’t been to the GP as figured there was no point considering they failed to recognise a red flag symptom in my other ear last year. Dreading going back to ENT but I want this checked out.. I’ve been googling too 🙈

Motherrr · 02/02/2025 22:53

I've never heard of this type of tinnitus and sorry this may be completely irrelevant, but a relative mentioned recently that she had tinnitus and had hypnotherapy which cured it. Just a thought. Hope you find a solution :)

Susieblue18 · 02/02/2025 23:07

I had it years ago. Can’t remember how long it lasted but I think 6-12 months. I got referred to an ent doctor but they didn’t find anything wrong.

NSJ796 · 02/02/2025 23:13

I have it and have done for years now, but only in one ear. If it’s only in one ear doc may refer you to ENT to have a hearing check and see if it’s anything sinister. It’s very quick in getting the results. If it’s in both ears, it’s likely annoying but not a problem, just one of those things. Mine was found to be nothing sinister and I use coloured noise to block it at night. YouTube is your friend here!

Elzibells · 02/02/2025 23:22

I had a sudden onset of this 2 years ago. GP referred me straight to an ENT who checked out my ear and said it was fine. ENT didn't do any tests, completely dismissed me when I asked for a scan. My life became chaotic just after this and I didn't pursue it further which, in retrospect, was a mistake on my part.

It has slowly faded, although I'm now getting other worrying symptoms. Clicking and movement type sounds in my ear, constant pressure. GP has referred me back to ENT but the waiting list for an appointment is now excessive.

I should have been offered an MRI scan. I would strongly urge you to look at the NICE guidelines for pulsatile tinnitus and make sure you push whoever you see to follow them.

tobee · 02/02/2025 23:43

Google IIH; idiopathic intracranial hypertension. It's relatively rare but might be worth looking in to.
My dd's got picked up at a routine eye test.

Original poster

biscuitlovers · 05/02/2025 16:41

Thank you everyone for replying. I saw audiologist today and have been referred for an MRI to check all ok. Think waiting list is about a year but pleased it's being investigated.

OP posts:

RentalWoesNotFun · 05/02/2025 18:58

If it's hearing your pulse in your ear I get that if I have dairy. It takes about a week of eating no dairy to go away.

It comes back if I take dairy again. Really annoying. At least I can get shot of it though.

MissKittyFantastico84 · 05/02/2025 19:13

Could you be anemic OP? I get it when my ferritin levels are low.

Original poster

biscuitlovers · 05/02/2025 19:35

Interesting - I'm not anaemic but am sure my iron could do with a boost. Will try and reduce dairy but that means no chocolate....
The tinnitus I can live with if I have to - it's more what is causing the pulsing that is worrying me. Pleased to have the referral.

OP posts:

Boope · 06/02/2025 12:47

I have had this on and off for years. It seldom lasts more than a day but has occasionally gone on for weeks. The GP basically said hard luck it's one of those things...

Original poster

biscuitlovers · 06/02/2025 13:05

Boope · 06/02/2025 12:47

I have had this on and off for years. It seldom lasts more than a day but has occasionally gone on for weeks. The GP basically said hard luck it's one of those things...

Did you have it in one or both ears?

OP posts:

Oceangrey · 06/02/2025 13:06

Yes, and mine turned out to be IIH as mentioned above.

Original poster

biscuitlovers · 06/02/2025 13:08

Oceangrey · 06/02/2025 13:06

Yes, and mine turned out to be IIH as mentioned above.

That's interesting - did you mean yes to one or yes to both ears?

OP posts:

Oceangrey · 06/02/2025 13:09

Given your long wait for an MRI (mine was private), I would get an eye checkup and ask the optician to do the extra photo of the back of your eye, and check the disc. IIH can/does cause it to become misshapen so it may give you a clue, and it's not expensive.

Disclaimer I'm not a medical professional! But IIH can cause serious issues for some people so it's worth checking.

Oceangrey · 06/02/2025 13:09

Sorry, yes I had it, and it was just in one ear, came and went.

Foxgloverr · 06/02/2025 13:12

I've had this on and off for 4 years. Been seen by ENT and cardiologist (not for this but for other things) and both have dismissed it as just one of those things. I did have head MRI/cardiology tests done though (again for other things not for the tinnitus) so that already ruled out anything worrying.

I think it is related to stress for me. That's the times I've noticed it the most and I have very low blood pressure so it's not a case of stress raising blood pressure.

QuestionableMouse · 06/02/2025 13:12

MissKittyFantastico84 · 05/02/2025 19:13

Could you be anemic OP? I get it when my ferritin levels are low.

I was going to say this too. It's my first sign that my levels are getting low!

Original poster

biscuitlovers · 06/02/2025 13:46

Thanks again for all responses. Think I will investigate cost of private MRI but as I say, not impacting my life other than worrying about it. I can listen to podcasts when going to sleep as distraction.

OP posts:

QuestionableMouse · 06/02/2025 15:09

Get your bloods done before you even think about a MRI.

MotherLanded · 06/02/2025 15:15

Do you take Vitamin D? I was taking a high supplement of it and experienced tinnitus, then stopped and it went away. Just a thought. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

BubblePopPop · 06/02/2025 18:16

I had this in one ear, I saw ENT who did an MRI and found that some blood vessels were very close to a nerve (or something like that) which could be causing the thumps when making contact. Was nothing to worry about. He said it could carry on, stop or come back in the future etc. It actually stopped completely a couple of months afterwards and hasn’t happened since.

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